I went shoping with daddy today. I like shopping. I like money. I bought mommy two shiney santa glases. They costed one doler and twentifif sents. Santa, pleaz bring me a chati cathy doll and an eazi bak oven.

Dear Diary, December 24, 1964

Mom dropped me off at the new mall today. It was so crowded, but it sure beats my parents driving around the town square for a parking place. Itís so cool. Lots of my friends were there. I got a corn pone pan for mom. Dad will like that. She can cook cornbread in the shape of corn on the cob. It sure is heavy. For Christmas, Iíd like Paul McCartney, but, since that may not be possible (I wish!) I want the Beatlesí Second Album. I hear that their third album can be pre-ordered at Kmart. I want that, too.

Dear Lord, December 21, 1976

What I want for Christmas is someone to love me and think Iím special. Iím tired of waiting for him. Iím graduated and working, now when does the man of my dreams come? I got mom and dad tickets to see Donnie and Marie Osmond at the Chicago Rosemont. I canít wait to give it to them. Thereís really nothing I need, (except my guy.) Everything else I can get for myself. God, please bring him soon.

Dear Lord, December 20, 1979

Iím grateful that you brought me Ben, but you said the plan was for us to prosper and multiply. Weíve been trying, but itís just not happening for us. Thatís what Iíd like for Christmas: a phone call from the doctor saying the rabbit died and Iím pregnant. Iíd like to see somebody shop for that! Speaking of shopping, itís getting harder and harder to shop for mom and dad. They always say they donít want anything, that theyíve got too much. I think thatís just their way of saving us money. Iím going out to shop today. Iím hoping to find quite a few things for them to unwrap. As for me, I Ďd like a couple of cassette tapes: Duran Duran and Phil Collins. Other than that, just babies.

Dear Lord, December 23, 1983

God, you doubly blessed us! Jennifer and Jessica are now two months old. What Iíd like most this Christmas is sleep! I just donít have any time or money to shop this year, so Iím just going to bake mom and dad some homemade cookies. Not much, but itís all I can do. Ben and I wonít even be exchanging gifts. Neither of us wants to be left alone with the babies while the other shops.

Dear Father, December 24, 1988

Itís a tough Christmas, this year, with dad gone. I know that what mom would like most would be if I could give her dad. I wish I could. God, may I say to you that death stinks? What I AM going to give mom is more time with me. Dad went so suddenly. How do I know that mom wonít, too? Iím going to give her a card thatís good for dinner out, once a month, with me. As for me, Iíd just like my sanity returned. I did have it once, didnít I?

Heavenly Father, November 28, 2003

Life just goes by too fast. I went Christmas shopping today and ended up crying in the Kroger store. Jennifer and Jessica are in a study abroad program in Spain, so today I put ďtreasuresĒ into a box to ship to them. I bought peanut butter, Captain Crunch, Trix cereal, chocolate cake mix and a bunch of other American foods theyíve requested. All of the sudden, I cried. This is all they wanted. What do I want for Christmas? I want my mommy backÖ..and the laughter of children in my home.

Dearest Daddy, December, 25, 2006

Ben and I have entered a new season of our lives. Our house is filled with love. We asked the girls not to buy any gifts. They didnít listen. I love when they visit, and I love when they leave. Is that okay? Jennifer has her fiancť with her this year. Blessings continue to flow. Father, I finally get it: my best gifts never came from a store. They came from you. Happy Birthday! Love, Sharyl

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Life does go by so very quickly, doesnít it? I enjoyed the format and thought the way each entry was addressed made it even more effective. This realistic portrayal of a life was both sweet and sad. I liked the title for this piece too.

I, too, loved the format and the passing of time noted appropriately not only in the dates, but in the salutaion of each letter (or prayer.) The maturity she had gained in her writng, thoughts and heart was written clearly and skillfully by the author.It resonated with me,and will with others whose journey it echoes!

Oh, I liked this. I'd like to see each little bit expanded into it's own story.

The spelling in the first one (the little girl) seemed inconsistant. If she can't spell "dollar" she probably couldn't spell "bought." But she could have asked someone, I guess. :) Just my thought, and it certainly didn't detract from the story as a whole.

I especially loved that the twin girls were born in the same year I was! 1983 was a great year to be born. ;)